From pretty much the moment that I heard this superb new Benin City track, “Faithless“, I was sure of two things; first, that whoever did not hear it would be missing out, and secondly, that it had the potential to be as iconic a song as Metronomy‘s “The Bay”. It is thrilling from end to end: from the moment it opens with a spare, epic set of indie chords, summoning the attention of the crowd at a festival’s main stage, to the swirling, clattering The Cure-meets-kwaito conclusion of drums, electro and exultant brass.
This exciting London three-piece – Joshua Idehen (vocals), Tom Leaper (saxophone) and Theo Buckingham (drums), aided by Marc Pell of Micachu and the Shapes on production – have found the most compelling of blends. Very few bands could make a song like “Faithless”, which begins by speaking to anyone who is fighting a brave though futile battle with despair, and progresses into the most triumphant of festival anthems. The ability to summon a range of emotions in the blink of a drop is Benin City’s hallmark; and, with a little bit of luck, it could take them very, very far.
Single out 10 June on Audio Doughnuts; Album, “Fires in the Park”, out on 1 July”
